[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 73 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H3038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE EL DORADO PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

  Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1155) honoring the recipients of the El Dorado 
Promise scholarship, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1155

       Whereas the 2000 United States Census determined that El 
     Dorado, Arkansas, had a significantly lower percentage of 
     residents with degrees from institutions of higher education 
     and significantly higher percentage of families who fell 
     below the poverty line than the national average;
       Whereas it is increasingly important for students to obtain 
     a college education in order to keep up with the demands of 
     the modern workforce and global economy;
       Whereas the El Dorado Promise scholarship is a tuition 
     scholarship, created and funded by Murphy Oil Corporation, 
     which enables all eligible high school graduates of the El 
     Dorado Public School District in El Dorado, Arkansas, to 
     attend any accredited 2- or 4-year, public or private, 
     college or university;
       Whereas school enrollment in the El Dorado Public School 
     District has significantly increased since the El Dorado 
     Promise scholarship program was established, despite a 15-
     year trend of decreasing enrollment;
       Whereas the El Dorado Promise scholarship program increased 
     the number of El Dorado High School students who chose to 
     attend college after graduation by 20 percent; and
       Whereas on April 30, 2008, El Dorado High School students 
     who received El Dorado Promise and other academic 
     scholarships sign academic letters of intent for the colleges 
     they will be attending upon graduation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the recipients of the El Dorado Promise 
     scholarship for choosing to further their education;
       (2) observes that April 30, 2008, is the second academic 
     signing day for graduating El Dorado High School students 
     receiving El Dorado Promise and other academic scholarships;
       (3) acknowledges that the El Dorado Promise scholarship 
     program is important for the revitalization of southern 
     Arkansas; and
       (4) recognizes the organizations and corporation involved 
     in this program for their efforts to ensure that children 
     from southern Arkansas, who might otherwise struggle in 
     financing a college education, are able to attend college.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. 
Boustany) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 1155 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the recipients of the El 
Dorado Promise scholarship.
  The El Dorado Promise scholarship is a tuition scholarship which 
allows all students who graduate after attending all 4 years of high 
school in the El Dorado Public School District to attend any accredited 
2- or 4-year college or university. While the enrollment in the El 
Dorado Public School District has decreased over 15 consecutive years, 
the establishment of this scholarship has seen enrollment in the 
district significantly increase. This scholarship program has also 
increased the number of students going to college after graduating high 
school by 20 percent.
  Mr. Speaker, these numbers are very impressive and I commend the 
students who have taken advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
  As you know, many students are struggling to pay the rising costs of 
tuition across the country. Additionally, students are graduating with 
more debt than ever before, and are working harder and harder to pay 
back their college loans. This growing college crisis has serious 
implications not just for students and families, but also for our 
Nation's economic future. In order to maintain our economic leadership 
in the world, we must make aggressive investments in our current and 
future workforce.
  Scholarships and grants similar to the El Dorado Promise scholarship, 
such as Georgia's Hope Scholarship, and California's CAL Grant continue 
to help students achieve their goal of going to college and alleviate 
the debt burden they carry after college.
  Once again, I congratulate the recipients of the El Dorado Promise 
scholarship, and I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross) for 
offering this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1155 which honors the 
recipients of the El Dorado Promise scholarship.
  On April 30, 2008, El Dorado High School students who received the El 
Dorado Promise scholarship signed their academic letters of intent for 
the colleges and universities they will be attending upon graduation.
  Thanks to funding provided by the Murphy Oil Corporation, the Promise 
scholarship gives El Dorado students an additional opportunity to 
pursue higher education. The scholarship provides up to 5 years of 
tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate post-secondary education 
for students entering college immediately following high school.
  To be eligible for the program, students must have attended local 
schools for at least 4 years. The annual scholarship is limited to the 
highest yearly rate charged by an Arkansas public university, currently 
$6,010, but the oil company has factored inflation into the program, 
and plans to be in place for 20 years.
  In this era of global competitiveness, it is increasingly important 
for students to obtain a college education in order to keep up with the 
demands of the modern workforce. We know how important higher education 
is both to individuals and to our Nation. A college degree can be a 
ticket to the middle class. It helps individuals prepare for good jobs, 
and it allows them to pursue new skills in a changing economy. Higher 
education also has important societal benefits. College-educated 
citizens are healthier, more civically involved, have lower 
unemployment rates, and use fewer government benefits.
  The El Dorado scholarship program has increased the number of high 
school students who choose to attend college after graduation by 20 
percent, so it is my pleasure to acknowledge the El Dorado Promise 
scholarship program for its important role in the revitalization of 
southern Arkansas; and to recognize Murphy Oil Corporation for its 
efforts to ensure that children from southern Arkansas who might 
otherwise struggle in financing a college education are able to attend 
college. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1155, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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